Syllabus
UNE Summer Session
PSY 205: Abnormal Psychology – Summer 2025
Credits - 3
Description
This course provides students with information regarding the symptoms, causes, and treatment of what is generally recognized as abnormal behavior. Students will be expected to think critically about the research evidence with regard to various explanations and treatments of mental illness, and to develop clinical rationale for diagnostic choices they might make as a hypothetical treatment provider. Additionally, students will become familiar with the major assessment index for psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers (DSM-5-TR) and learn how to apply its categories to several client cases discussed in class.
Prerequisites
Undergraduate level PSY 105 Minimum Grade of C- or Undergraduate level PSY 250 Minimum Grade of C-
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Articulate the six major paradigms through which psychopathology is treated, assessed and etiologically explained
- Articulate the primary diagnostic categories in the DSM-VTR
- Critically evaluate primary research with regard to their applicability to the treatment of mental illness.
- Find information about various psychological disorders listed in the DSM-VTR
- Read psychological case studies and understand how an intake assessment might impact professional service delivery from a variety of health care providers
- Assess how social, cultural, political and economic systems are shaped by individual bias and structural inequality and lead to differential understandings, expectations, and experiences of health.
How this course fits into Academic Majors/Minors
This course is required for all Psychology majors and is one of the core cognate areas in Psychology. It is also an acceptable List B elective for NEU majors, and is an acceptable upper division psychology elective for ANB majors and psychology minors. Additionally, PSY 205 is required for all SWK Majors, MHRT and Art Therapy minors. Both the SWK program and the MHR minor align with certification standards for both the LSW and MHRT/C certifications in the state of Maine.
Assignments
Case Study Assignments
Two required case study assignments: There are two video case study assignments in the course. These correspond to learning outcome #5 and give students a chance to view two of the disorders we will be studying in a video case format. There are required questions to answer that correspond with the videotaped cases and each of these case studies are worth 50 points toward your overall grade in the course.
Quizzes and Exams
Pre-Power Point quizzes
Research indicates that students retain material more effectively if they read the material, take a pre-lecture quiz, and then experience a lecture, or in our case, the power point slides that correspond with each chapter. Therefore, each student will be taking the pre-power point quiz for each chapter located in each weekly folder and labeled by chapter. In order to get the power point slides, you must complete the pre-lecture quizzes for the chapter. This necessitates you reading the chapter, then taking the quizzes. At the end of the term, the average quiz score on all 16 quizzes will be used in your final grade computation, so guessing is not a good idea, and you can only take the quiz once. The percentage of points earned on the quizzes will be computed to a point total out of 100.
Exams
There will be three equally weighted non-cumulative exams each consisting of 50 multiple choice questions. I will not re-open tests after the due date. Please remember that you have chosen to take an online course, so not having access to a computer is not an acceptable reason for missing a test. If you are unable to take a test due to an illness, emergency, or technical issue (for instance losing power during a thunder storm) you must let me know immediately and provide documentation of the special circumstance. Tests are timed (60 minutes) and will close when the time is up. If you qualify for extended time on exams due to a documented disability, please contact me ASAP. You will not be able to go back and check your work once the test closes so please plan accordingly. Tests will become available by 8 am on the due date and go away at 11:59 pm on that same day. You will not be able to retake a test. If for any reason a test gets submitted before you finish it you must contact me BY CELL PHONE immediately so I can reset the test for you. This should only happen in RARE circumstances. Having another browser window open during a test is not permitted.
Discussion Board Posts
Participation on the discussion board constitutes your attendance in class. Each week I will post a discussion topic by Monday morning. In order to be considered “present” for the week you need to respond to my original post by Wednesday night and to another student in your discussion group by Sunday night. Two posts per week meet the minimum participation requirement which will earn you 20 points per week. Exceptionally thoughtful and multiple discussion board posts will earn students 25 points per week. The total points you can earn for discussion board participation for the six weeks is therefore 150 points. If you miss either one of the required posts per week on the discussion board, you will lose 10 points, miss both and you will receive 0 credit. You cannot post late and still receive credit. Posts should be high quality and reflect that the writer has read and understood both the assigned material, AND both the prompt and other student’s responses to the prompt.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment | Points Possible |
|---|---|
| Exam 1 | 50 |
| Exam 2 | 50 |
| Exam 3 | 50 |
| Mood Disorders Case Study | 50 |
| Gender Dysphoria Case Study | 50 |
| Percentage of points out of 320 possible on pre-lecture quizes | 100 |
| Discussion Board 6 weeks x 25 points each week | 150 |
| TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE | 500 |
Grade Scale
Final course grades will be assigned as follows:
|
Grade |
|
Percentage |
|
Points |
|
A |
= |
94-100% |
or |
470-500 points |
|
A- |
= |
90-93% |
or |
450-469 points |
|
B+ |
= |
87 -89% |
or |
435-449 points |
|
B |
= |
84 -86% |
or |
420-434 points |
|
B- |
= |
80-83% |
or |
400-419 points |
|
C+ |
= |
77 -79% |
or |
385-399 points |
|
C |
= |
74 -76% |
or |
370-384 points |
|
C- |
= |
70-73% |
or |
350-369 points |
|
D |
= |
64-69% |
or |
320-349 points |
|
F |
= |
0-63% |
or |
at or below 319 points |
Schedule
Course Dates:
Week 1: May 19 – May 25
Week 2: May 26 – Jun 1
Week 3: Jun 2 – Jun 8
Week 4: Jun 9 – Jun 15
Week 5: Jun 16 – Jun 22
Week 6: Jun 23 – Jun 27
|
Week |
Topics |
Assessments |
Due |
|
1 |
Introduction to Course History of Abnormal Psychology (Chapter 1) Psychological, Biological and Sociocultural Explanations for Abnormal Behavior (Chapter 2) |
|
Due: Sunday at 11:30 pm. EST |
|
2 |
Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Overview Psychological Research Methods Anxiety Disorders |
|
Due: Sunday at 11:30 pm. ET |
|
3 |
Somatic Symptom and Dissociative Disorders Mood Disorders Schizophrenia |
|
Due: Sunday at 11:30 pm. ET |
|
4 |
Personality Disorders Neurocognitive and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Disruptive, Impulse control and Conduct Disorders |
|
Due: Sunday at 11:30 pm. ET |
|
5 |
Eating Disorders Sexual Disorders and Gender Diversity Substance Use Disorders |
|
Due: Sunday at 11:30 pm. ET |
|
6 |
Health Psychology Law, Society and the Mental Health Profession |
|
Due: Friday at 11:30 pm. ET |
Student Resources
Watch Student Registration for D2L Brightspace with Regular Deep Integration. This is the video about how to purchase and use the McGraw Hill Connect course content
If students are having any technical issues with the McGraw Hill Connect site, they have a dedicated student support team! They are available 24/7!
- Phone: 1-800-331-5094; Live chat/email: https://mhedu.force.com/CXG/s/ContactUs
- https://www.mheducation.com/highered/support/student.html
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Summer Session Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Email: summersessiononline@une.edu.
Instructor and Support Contact Information
Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.
UNE Libraries
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Further Assistance
Your student support specialist monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.
To request an accommodation a student needs to go through the process with our UNE office. If the student has a current/already established accommodation in place with UNE it is the responsibility of the student to notify the program at summersessiononline@une.edu to ensure it is applied properly.
If you need to inquire about a possible accommodation, please reach out to the Student Access Center by calling 207-221-4418 or send an email to pcstudentaccess@une.edu.
Policies
Additional Policies Specific to this Course
Student Well-Being
If you find yourself struggling, please reach out and take advantage of the many campus resources available to you. For academic support, please feel free to contact me, or your professional advisor, faculty advisor, and/or the SASC. For physical or mental health concerns, the Student Health Center, Student Counseling Services, and wellness programming are all available. For concerns about finances, contact Student Financial Services. There are lots of people to help; in addition to those named above, you can always talk with your Area Coordinator (if you live on campus), coach, club advisor, faith leader, or a friend. Please do not struggle alone.
Diversity Statement and Inclusivity Perspective
UNE’s Core Values Statement acknowledges “the benefits of a richly varied campus community arise not only from the diversity of its people but also from a sense of belonging”) (see Mission, Vision, and Values). The classroom should provide a space for learning, dialogue, and action that promotes the full engagement of students from all backgrounds. Instructors and students will strive to create a respectful and supportive environment for collaboration, empathy, and the building of meaningful relationships. This doesn’t mean we will always agree.
To help achieve an inclusive learning environment in this class-
- If your name (or associated pronouns) differs from the roster, please let me and your student colleagues know. We will use your preferred pronouns and name.
- If you anticipate needing to miss or shift class responsibilities due to a religious observance, please let me know.
- If you experience an unwelcoming environment in the classroom or on campus (for example, in response to the representation of differences in the course or you believe biases may be affecting your academic experience), please reach out to me, a trusted faculty mentor, or your academic advisor for guidance on next steps.
- If you experience any form of discrimination in the classroom or on campus, contact the Title IX and Office of Civil Rights Coordinator: Ms. Angela Shambarger (ashambarger@une.edu) or the Dean of Students: Ms. Jennifer DeBurro (jdeburro@une.edu).
The nature of our discussions in this course could make you uncomfortable at times- and that should not be unexpected. Being uncomfortable is not the same as being unwelcome. Sometimes the content of this class might trigger you to an experience of your own or someone you care about that is personal. While I want you to take care of yourself I also want you to challenge yourself to try to stretch your ability to remain present, focused on the material, and refrain from diagnosing yourself or others. Finally, all perspectives will be considered in this course, and we are all responsible for sharing our perspective in a way that does not violate, demean, or discriminate against any other member of this class.
Summer Session & Academic Engagement Policy
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm EDT of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion by 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday of the first week, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the Student Summer Session Manual for full details.
Proctored Examinations
Your course may have proctored exams. Please see the course for the exact exam requirements, test-taker guidance, proctoring format, and allowances (such as calculators or whiteboards, as indicated in the course).
Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements.
Course Length
A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.
Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 12 weeks.
- Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar.
- Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.
Withdrawal and Refund Policies
Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact summersessiononline@une.edu with any questions.
Grade Policy
Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course.
Transcripts
Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the College. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.